Lock-nut.



No. 66l,655. Patented Nov. l3, I900.

A..V. BRYCE.

LOCK NUT.

(Application file d Feb. 20, 1900.] I (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet I.

L in

INVENTOR WITNESSES gm \).-Pa.'

No. 66l,655. Patented Nov. l3, I900.

v A. V. BRYCE.

LOOK NUT.

(Application filed Feb. 20, 1900.)

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Shaet 2.

WITNESSES INVENTOR wwvfismg.

. NITED STATES PATENT Fries.

ANDREW V. BRYCE, OF ALLEGHENY, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR OF NINE-TWENTIETHS TO GEORGE B. VVIX, OF SAME PLACE.

LOCK-NUT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 661 ,6 55, datedNovember 13, 1900.

Application filed February 20, 1900. semi No. 5,896. on; model.)

To all whom it WI/Qty concern.-

Be it known thatLANDREw V. BRYOE,Of A1- legheny, in the county ofAllegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and usefulImprovement in Lock-Nuts, of which the following is a full, clear, andexact description, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings,forming part of this specification, in which Figure 1, Sheet 1, is aside elevation, partly in section, showing my nut-lock applied to a boltand locked thereon. Fig. 2 is an end view of the nut. Fig. 3 is a sideview thereof. Fig. 4 is a View similar to Fig. 2 with the inner threadedpart removed. Fig. 5 is a section on the line V V of Fig.4. Fig. 6 is asection on the line VI VI of Fig. 4.. Fig. '7 is an inner end view ofthe threaded part of the nut. Fig. 8 is a side view thereof. Fig. 9 is asection on the line IX IX of Fig. 7. Fig. 10, Sheet 2, shows a modifiedconstruction of lock-nut embodying the same principle as that shown inFigs. 1 to 9 applied to a bolt and locked. Fig. 11 is an end view of thenut. Fig. 12 is a side view thereof. Fig. 13 is an end view of the outerpart of the nut. Fig. 14 is a section on the line XIV XIV of Fig. 13.Fig. 15 is a side view of the threaded part of the nut. Fig. 16 is aninner end view of the same.

My invention relates to lock-nuts, being designed to prevent the nutfrom becoming loose after it has been tightened upon the bolt and hasbeen brought to bear upon the object it is desired to secure.

One object is to provide a lock-nut which is adapted to fit uponordinary bolts and to be locked securely thereon without destroying ordistorting the threads.

A further object is to provide a lock-nut in which the threaded portionis separate from the portion to which the wrench is applied and yet whenplaced within the unthreaded external portion is held therein, so thatthe two portions constitute a lock-nut.

My invention provides a lock-nut which is simple in construction,durable and effective, and can be cheaply and rapidly made by automaticmachinery.

In the drawings, Sheet 1, Figs. 1 to 9, inclusive, 2 represents thebolt, screw-threaded in the ordinary manner. The lock 3 is composed ofan internal threaded pa -t 4 and an external unthreaded part 5, havingsuitable shoulders of hexagonal or polygonal form, to which the wrenchis applied in securing the nut upon the bolt. The internal threaded parta is preferably formed in two or more sections united by a thinconnecting web or hinge 6, and a gap 7 is formed between the meetingends of't'he hinged portions. This gap 7, together with the web orhinges6, gives to the threaded part at the necessary amount of resiliency,which enables it to be compressed, so as to grip the threads of thebolt. In order to give this threaded part a of the lock-nut 3 therequisite strength and afford a suitable surface by which it may beengaged by the outer threadless portion 4:, so as to be turned therebywhen the outer part is rotated, I form thereon ribsS of such shape thatthis threaded portion isgiven an external shape preferably hexagonal orpolygonal in form and preferably the counterpartof the internal shape ofthe outer or unthreaded portion 4: of the lock-nut. These ribs 8 at theapex of their angles are parallel with the bolt, as shown at a, and areseparated by grooves 9, which begin at the surface at the point b andtaper toward the point 0, forming the frustum of a cone between the ribs8. This taper, however, I prefer to make very slight. The groove 9 atthe point e is deep, and the body of the threaded part t should be asthin as possible at this point to provide the necessary resiliency. Thevalley of the groove 9 is parallel, or substantially so, but the wallsdiverge as the groove deepens, as shown at d d, and this divergenceproduces a corresponding contraction to the inner end of the ribs 8, asshown at e. This gives the ribs 8 the form of. a wedge, which widenstoward its outer end, where it merges into the hexagonal or polygonalexterior above described. The inner end of these ribs 8 are beveled, asshown at f. The inner end 10 of the part L of the nut is cylindrical,and I have found it convenient to form the outer portion 11 annular, orsub stantially so, as it affords a protection against tampering with thethreaded part 4, and it enables me to form the cam or inclined portions12 thereon, the purpose of which I will presently explain.

The outer part 5 of the nut, to which the Wrench is applied,is providedwith a cylindrical hole 10 at its inner end, preferably but slightlylarger than the external diameter of the bolt. The hexagonal orpolygonal socket 13 is provided with ribs 14, which interfit With thegrooves 9 in the part 4. The ribs 14 form wedge-shaped grooves 15, whichinterfit with the ribs 8 on said part. The parts t and 5 are made maleand female in respect to the internal shape of one of said parts and theinternal shape of the other.

The operation is as follows: The nut, which comprises the inner threadedpart at and the outer unthreaded part 5, the former having been insertedwithin the latter, is applied to the bolt,the wrench is placed upon theexternal hexagonal or polygonal surface of the part 4, and by reason ofits internal shape and the external shape of the part4 they movetogether. In looking the nut it is advanced until the part 5 comes incontact with the surface against which it is to abut, and as theengagement between the inner and outer parts is not positive, except asregards rotation, the turning of the outer part 5 after meeting theresistance of the abutting sur face causes the within-contained threadedpart at to continue to advance until the taper of the grooves 9 isresisted by the correspondingly-shaped ribs 14 and the wedge-shaped ribs8 engage the correspondingly-shaped grooves 15, the tendency of thewedges being to expand the part 5, while its resistance the externalsurface being adapted to receive the wrench. The externalsurface-threaded portion 4 in the modified construction has plain faces16, which are slightly tapered, the inner end being the smaller, and thesocket formed in the outer part 5 being correspondingly tapered andhaving plain faces 17, each of the said faces being wedge-shaped, formedby the angles, as at g g, as shown in Figs. 14c and 15. The operation ofthis nutis similar to that just described, the parts are assembled androtated in the same way, the inner threaded part is caused to grip thebolt by reason of the engagement of the wedge-shaped faces 16 and 17,and the taper of-the socket of the outer part 5 and the external surfaceof the part 4, the cams 12' tending to further expand the outer part 5and causing a corresponding compression of the inner part 4. Themodified form of lock-nut shown is cspeclally designed for the smallersizes which would render the formation of ribs and grooves difficult andthe construction less substantial. The cams or inclines 12 12 act asstops, so that the limit of safety cannot be exceeded, and the outerparts 5 5 become broken by application of too much power, these portionspreventing the further advance of the internal threaded part.

The advantages present in the form shown in Figs. 1 to 9 are present topractically the same degree in the modified form.

Many changes may be made and will suggest themselves to the skilledmechanic Without departing from my invention.

I claim- ICO tends to compress the part 4, causing it to firmly grip thethread of the bolt. This gripping action is further effected by theinclined or cam portions 12, the outer part 5 being expanded by them asit engages therewith. In case sufficient power is applied to force thethreaded part 4 still farther within the outer portion the cylindricalportion 10 at the inner end of the part 4 and the beveled portion f ofthe ribs 8 will engage the corresponding portion of the outer threadlesspart 5 of the nut and will cause the inner end of the part Ito impingeupon the thread of the bolt with greater tenacity. A positive lock isthus afforded Without injury or distorting the thread of the nut orbolt, and yet it can be removed without destroying the bolt or nut, ifnecessity requires. The nut cannot work loose by jar or shock.

In Figs. 10 to 16, inclusive, I have illustrated a modified form whichembodies the general features I have just described-viz., a lock-nut 3made in two parts 1 5, the inner part at being threaded and having ahexagonal or polygonal exterior surface and also having hinges or webs 6and a gap 7, which are placed on the sides and not at the angle, as inFigs. 1 to 9. The outer part 5, to which the wrench is applied, has ahexagonal or polygonal external and internal surface, the latter fittingthe exterior of the part 4, and

1. A look nut comprising an outer unthreaded portion, having an angularinterior, and an inner threaded part having an angular exterior, saidinner part having thinner web portions extending its entire length andacting as hinges, and having also a separating-slot along one side;substantially as described.

2. A look nut comprising an outer unthreaded portion having an angularinterior, and an interior-threaded portion having a correspondingexterior, the inner portion having hinge-Webs extending its entirelength, and provided with inclined faces engaged by inner wedge-ribs onthe outer portions; substantially as described.

3. A lock-nut,comprising threaded and unthreaded parts, separate fromeach other, the threaded part being composed of sections hinged togetherby thinner web portions extending the entire length of the threadedpart, said part being within the unthreaded part and adapted to beturned thereby and looked upon the bolt, when the threaded part abutsagainst a resisting-surface; substantially as described.

4:. A lock-nut, comprising threaded and unthreaded parts, separate fromeach other, the threaded part being within the unthreaded part andhaving a separating-slot throughout its length, and at least a portionthereof be ing tapered, and having an angular exterior, the unthreadedpart being shaped interiorly to correspond therewith, the threaded partbeing turned thereby when the outer portion is rotated; substantially asdescribed.

5. A lock-nut, comprisingthreaded and unthreaded parts, separate fromeach other, the threaded part being within the unthreaded, and adaptedto be turned by the latter, astop or shoulder on the threaded part, inthe rear of the unthreaded, adapted to limit the inward movement of thethreaded part, and to cause the same to bind upon the bolt, when theouter part abuts against a resisting-surface; substantially asdescribed.

6. A lock-n ut, comprising threaded and unthreaded parts, separate fromeach other, the threaded part being within the unthreaded, and adaptedto be turned by the latter, a stop or shoulder having beveled or camfaces on the threaded part, in the rear of the unthreaded, adapted tolimit the inward movement of the threaded part, and to cause the same tobind upon the bolt when the outer part abuts against aresisting-surface; substantially as described.

7. Alock-nut,comprisinganinner threaded part, an outer unthreaded part,separate therefrom, theinner part being provided with ribs and grooves,and the outer part having interfitting wedge-shaped projections andrecesses,whereby the threaded portion is turned, and locked when theouter part abuts against a'resisting-surface; su bstantially asdescribed.

8. A lock-nut having an outer unthreaded portion with an angularinterior, an inner threaded portion with an angular exterior, said innerportion having faces inclined to the axis of said part and having alsofaces extending parallel with the axis, the outer 9. A lock-nutcomprising threaded and unthreaded parts separate from each other, thethreaded part being within the unthreaded, the inner part being providedwith grooves which gradually deepen and widen toward the inner endthereof, wedge-shaped ribs formed thereby said ribs having their angularportion a parallel with the longitudinal axis of the nut, said ribsbeing wider at their outer ends, and narrower at their lower end, thesocket in un threaded outer part being the converse of ribs and groovesof the inner'part, whereby the latter is turned, when the outer part isrotated; substantially as described.

10. A lock-n ut comprising threaded and unthreaded parts separate fromeach other, the threaded part being within the unthreaded, the innerpart being provided with grooves which gradually deepen and widen towardthe inner end thereof, wedge-shaped ribs formed thereby said ribs beingwider at their outer end,andnarrowerat theirlowerend,the socket inunthreaded outer part being the converse of ribs and grooves of theinner part,whereby the latter is turned, when the outer part is rotated,a stop or shoulder on the threaded part in the rear of the unthreaded,adapted to limit the inward movement of the threaded part, and to causethe same to bind upon the bolt, when the outer part abuts aresistingsurface; substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

ANDREW V. BRYCE.

Witnesses:

G. I. HOLDSHIP. L. A. CoNNER, Jr.

